Cloth-finishing machine.



E. H. MARBLE.

CLOTH FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ocT.1s,19o9.

3 SHBETS-SHEBT 1.

Patented Deo. 31, 1912.

/mlllll'llil E. H. MARBLE.

CLOTH PINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OOT.18, 1909.

1,049,248, Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

um @AMM Hdl/LONG@ E. H. MARBLE.

CLOTH FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ocT.1a,19o9.

12049,248. Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

SSHEBTS-SHEET 3.

` citizen of the United States,

'UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

EDWINH. MARBLE, or WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, AssreNOx To 'CURTIS e MAR BLEMACHINE COMPANY, OE WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OE MASSACHUSETTS.

CLOTH-FINISHING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led ctober 18, 190B. Serial No. 523,307..

Patented Dee. 3.1, 1912.

.To all whom 'Lt may concern: Y

Be it known that I, EDWIN H. MARBLE, a residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cloth-Finishing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawings.

My present invention relates to certain limprovements applicable to cloth-finishing machines, such as shearing machines, brushing machines, polishing machines, and similar machines, wherein the fabric is drawn through the machine by continuous feed, while acted upon by the shearing cutters, or other finishing device, at one or more positions in the machine.

A prime Object of my invention is to provide, in a machine of the class named, a positively driven delivery-roll having 'a forward release, in combination with a frictionally driven feed-draft roll, and means for imparting motion to said feed-draft roll by an operating connection from the mechanism driving the delivery-roll; the cloth or fabric being more uniformly maintained under the required tension, and the stretch of the fabric properly taken up, while passing through and being acted upon by the finishing mechanism.

A second object of my invention is to provide, in a machine of the class named, a positively driven delivery-roll having a forward release, a frictionally driven feeddraft roll, and means for imparting motion to said feed-draft roll operating-fromy the vdriving mechanism of said delivery-roll; and

draft rolls.

I attain these objects by mechanism the nature, organization and mode of operation of which is hereinafter more fully described, the particular subject matter claimed as of tice, have been omitted lngs, such machine as my invention being definitely set forth in the summary; and anexample thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings l(three sheets) wherein y Figure l represents a side View of such parts of a cloth-finishing machine as will show the nature of my invention. Fig. 2 is a horlzontal sectional n plan View showing the fabric-feeding rolls and the arrangement of :means for driving `the same in accordance wlth my inventlon.

Fig. 3 is a detail side view of the means for starting the fabricfeeding mechanism' into action and for instantly stopping the same. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts included in Fig. 3, Fig. '5 is a sectional view showing the vices, and Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view of the friction-disk clutch employed upon the Y feed-draft roll axle.

It will be understood that some parts commonly employed and necessary in a fully equipped fabric-finishing machine in pracin the present drawparts being well known; and I have herein shown only those portions of the ture of the `invention claimed. Portions of the machine which are not shown and speclfically described herein may be considered as being of usual well known or any suitable construction.

Referring to the drawings,A indicates the main frame, upon which are mounted suitable bearings for the various rolls and working parts; said parts being in general disdelivery-roll Ldrlving means and lts forward relea dewill sufficiently illustrate the naposed'L for operation in substantially the order shown, andas heretofore employed; excepting the matter which constitutes the invention herein described and claimed.

F 1 indicatesthe fabric-finishing means,

.which can be of any approved kind, as for shearing, brushing, polishing, or otherwise finishing the face of the cloth or fabric; since my present invention does not relate to the detail of the surface-finishing means. In the present instance the finishing means is illustrated as a cloth-shearing mechanism of usual kind, comprising a cloth-guide c, ledger-blade f and shearing revolver r.

F2 indicates a second fabric-finishing means of like nature to the first, or of any desired kind, as my improvements are applicable to a cloth-finishing machine employing- .a single or a plurality of forms of well known fabric-finishing or 'surface-treating means, instead of shearing devices; or with I shearing devices as well.

` dot-and-dash line C on Fig. 1.

The fabric-feeding means consists of a positively driven delivery-roll 3, a frictionally driven feed-draft roll 5, and second frictionally driven feed-draft roll 7v which, inaccordance with my invention, are combined and organized for operation in the following described manner. v

The 'operating partsV that constitute the delivery-roll-driving mechanism comprise a drive-wheel or gear loose-mounted upon the delivery-roll shaft, with auxiliary connecting devices, and an inde ndently controlled belt-driven pulley an pinion combined therewith in the manner substantially as shown. Said drive-wheel 9 for the deliveryroll 3 is connected therewith by a ratchetdevice 4 that positivelyV drives the deliveryroll forward or in its delivering direction, but Vpermits a forward release of the roll vin case there are reasons for its moving faster than the movement of lthe driving mechanism; but it cannot move slower than its driving mechanism. The drive-wheel or gear 9 also" has a sprocket-wheel 10 connected to rotate therewith. Thel wheel 9 is actuated by a pinion 8 combined with a pulley 6 rtatably mounted on asuitable axis 2; the pinion meshing with the teeth on the wheel 9. The ar-wheel 9, its ratchetl and pawl devices, t e pinion 8, shaft 2 and pulley 6, constitute .an independently controllable drivin -mechanism for operating the delivery-rol and by separate connection the feed-draft roll or rolls.- The pulley 6 is driven by a direct belt 12 from an operating-pulley 13 mounted on the main or drive-shaft-M of the machine. The wer and motion are imparted to the deliveryroll-driving mechanism by said belt. The feed-draft rolls 5 and 7 are provided with sprocket-wheels, 15 and 17, upon their respective shafts or axles'. and Africtional connecting devices, 18 and'19, preferably comprising annular friction dis or surfaces upon between the side of the sprocket-wheel, and-a plate .or disk keyed tothe axle of the shaft, Aand adapted for drivingthe rolls; also with means for adjusting the degree of friction for causing the sprocket or drivewheel to frictionally rotate the feed-draft roll with the desired amount of force or resistance. The friction-adjusting devices,

20 and-21 respectively :fittedv upon a threaded end of the roll axle, so as to screw against the friction-disk land force it against the side face of the sprocket-wheehiork vice versa. A band, chain or sprocket-belt 25 is arranged around the sprocket wheels 10, 15 and 17', and suitable guiding sprockets 22 and 23, said chain forming a connection whereby the feed-draft rolls 5 and 7 are operated from the mechanism that drives the delivery-roll 3; so that the fabric-feedrolls are all' actuated by power transm1\tted through-the single belt 12 that opcrates the delivery-roll-drive mechanism. By reason of this arrangement-of al positively driven delivery-roll 3 having a forward release, and feed-draft roll, or rolls, land 7 frictionally driven and operated by the chain 25 from the driving mechanism of the delivery-roll, it will be seen that any desired degree of tensioncan be put upon the fabric, and the stretch of the fabric properly disposed of whilel said fabric is passing through and being acted upon by the finishing mechanism; and this too whether the stretch occurs between the delivery-roll and first feed-draftv roll, or be- A tween theirst feed-draft roll and the subseadapting the machine for practical and efficient use upon a greater variety of fabrics; and forl fabrics of a greater diversity in texture and quality.

28, indicates abelt-tightener pulley running upon a stud 29 fixed in a swinging arm 30 fulcrumed on a support 31' suitably attached to the frame, so that the tightener can swing againstand from the exterior of the belt 12.' The arm is preferably made with a counterweighting end 27. Pivoted to said belt-tightener arm there is arranged a connection or rod 32 extending to a rocker or manipulating lever 33, at the front of the'machine, and to which the connection is pivoted in such relation that in applying the tightener to the belt the connection pivot 34 moves past the dead-center line just far enough to render the mechanism self-locking or self-holding, while the feedroll drive-mechanism is in operation; but it can be readil thrown off for releasing the tightener an instantly stopping the entire fabric-feed devices by merely striking the manipula-ting lever from its dead-center po- Y sition.

simpleand not'encumbered with latching- I devices, weights, or springs; the belt-control'- ling-means is positively held to its working vtmanipulating handlelever can'be struck or knocked oli from. the dead-center position,.

' and this without regard to the continued running of the cloth .finishing appliances; the lapse of time between the strike-off of the handle-lever and the cessation of movei ment of the fabric is practically imperceptrolled at whichever side of the machine the machine.

tible or negligible in the management of the machine when in actual 'usci -The manipulating means preferably comprises a fulcrum shaft 35 that extends across the width of the machine, and is provided with handle-levers 33 at or nearfeach of its i.

ends; also at a central position thereon if desired, so that the starting and stopping of the fabric-feed can -be conveniently c0n attendant may be standing at the time. Suitable stops 37 and 38 are preferably provided for limiting the movement of the manipulating lever to the desired arc, or distance of movement. The connection 32 is best provided with means, as a threaded turn-buckle 36, for adjusting its length' t0 bring the tightener into proper working relation with the belt.-v

In the operating of cloth-finishing--machines it is customary `to sew the ends of the several pieces of fabric together to make a long o r continuous length, so as to obviate the necessity of frequently ret-hreading the It is -usually desired to present each part of the fabricA two, three, or'more times to the action of the finishing means. As each seam approaches the finishing vdevices said v,devices are raised from action sov as to prevent cutting or opening the seam. It is of course desirable, 'asa matter of :economy and to avoid waste, to finish as close to the seamv as possible; but the travel of the goods through the machine must be retarded, or in some cases entirely stopped, before the sealn reaches the operating point of the finishing-means, and then carefully advanced while the seam is moved o'r jockeyed past the operating point. To do this successfully at a high speed of fabric yards per minute, requires a stopping and starting mechanism sensitive to a. fine degree.

By the mechanism hereinbefore described', I provide a cloth-finishing machine with feed-driving and controlling means that effect quick starting and practically instantaneous stopping of the fabric-feeding rolls, so that a. fabric moving at a speed of eight to sixteen yards per minute can be convene iently and safely controlled to run the connecting seams closely adjacent 'to the contact-point of the finishing means; 'thusvparts being avoidinga considerable percentage of waste or uniimshedsurface at the ends of the pieces; and also increasing the capacity of the machine for turning out good. work; and for running the fabric at greater speed than heretofore practised.

While the drawings show an :organization of two setsv of fabric-finishing means, it will be understood that this improved method `forwardly-driven delivery-roll having free forward release, and the frictionally driven 'feed-draft rolls that drawthe cloth-fabric on its way from said surface-finishing mechanisms; means for regulating the friction drive of said feed-draft rolls, and means for ,impart-ing normal relative speed rotation'to said dellvery-roll and t'o the frictional driving means of said feed-draft rolls; said combined and operating substantially as set forth. A

2. `In a machine of the class specified, in

combination as described, with mechanism for finishing the surface of the fabric, and suitable fabric-guidin members; the forwardly rotated primary delivery-roll having free forward release, the driving-mechanism for said delivery-roll including a gear and roll-engaging means arranged for effecting positive forward rotation of said delivery-roll and permitting the free forwardrelease thereof, anda sprocket or drive-wheel rotating with said gear, the frictionally driven feed-draft roll that carries the fabric on its way from the surfacefinishing mechanism, said roll having the friction-drive member and friction-regulating device `upon its shaft, fthe. chain or band rotating said friction-drive member of the feed-draft-roll from the drivingmechanism for said delivery-roll, means for operating said delivery-roll driving-mechanism, and means for cont-rolling the starting and stopping of the same, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine of the class specified, the combination as described, of a plurality of separately,` operating surface finishing mechlanisms, the main driving-shaft and means `for separately operating said finishing mechanlsms, the forwardly operated delivery-roll having a forward release ratchet, a plurality of feed-draft-rolls for taking the cloth from thel respective finishing mechanisms, said,feed-draft-rolls each provided clutch for positively operating sald delivery-roll, a sprocket or drive-wheel fixed to said gear, a drive-band or chain from' and connecting said sprocket or drive-wheel to the frictional drive-wheels for rotating the respective feed-draft rolls, the gearactuating pulley, its operating belt connecting from a pulley on the finisher-drivingshaft, and a tightener means for controlling the action of said belt. l

4. In `a cloth-finishing machine having a plurality of sets of surface-finishing mechanisms, and suitable fabric-guidingmeans, and in combination asdescribed; the forwardly-releasing feed-delivery-roll preceding the first set of surface-finishing mecha'- nism, driving mechanism for said deliveryroll, its engaging means being arranged therewith co-impart positive forward rotation, but to permit free release of said delivery-roll in forward direction, a plurality of frictionally actuated feed-draft rolls severally located for taking the fabric through the respective sets of inishing mechanisms, and adapted for frictional automatic release of the individual rolls by excess ot tension on the fabric, the feed-draft roll-actuating means, comprising frictio-nal members with sprockets and' regulating devices therefor upon the several feed-draft roll axles, a unitarv drive-chain belt connecting and oper-- ating all of said sprockets from the deliveryroll driving-mechanism, and the manually actuated appliances for controlling the starting and stopping of said delivery-rolI driving mechanism, in the manner set forth.

5. Acloth-nishing machine comprising a primary set of surface-iinishing mechanism a positively forward driveni delivery-roll `ber, 1909.

that controls the delivery of the cloth thereto,

a drive mechanism for said delivery-roll including a 'ulley, a sprocket-wheel and a forwardly-re easable ratchet, a frictionally driven feed-draft roll that takes the cloth from said primaryl surface-nishing mechanism, a second set of surface-finishing mechanism, a second frctionally driven feeddraft roll that takes the cloth from saidv second surface-finishing mechanism, each of said `feed-draft rolls provided with an actuating sprocket-wheel, a rictional engaging device, and means for regulating the degree of frictional tension for operating said rolls, a sprocket-chain that operates the sprocketwheelsl of said feed-draft rolls from the sprocket of vthe delivery-roll drive mecha nism, a belt running from the cloth-finishing drive-mechanism to the delivery-roll drivemechanism, a tightener mechanism for said belt adapted for `instant release for stopping. the feed-driving means.

6. In a cloth nishingmachine having a plurality of set-s of surface-,finishing mechanisms, and suitable fabric-guiding eed-delivery-roll preceding the rst set of finishing mechanisms, a forwardly releasing driving means for said delivery-roll, a plurality of rictionally driven feed-draft rolls for taking the fabric away from the respective-surface-nishing means, the frictionaldrive means of said feed-draft rolls being adapted for giving either light or heavy tenmeans, a

sion, rand independently regulatable for affording comparative regularity of tension and travel at front and rear of each of the said surface-finishing mechanisms.

Witness my hand this 13th day of Octo- EDWIN H. MARBLE Witnesses: v Y

CHAS. H. BURLEIGH,

FRANK A. DRURY. 

